A dock leveler includes a lip plate that is rotationally attached to an edge of a deck at a hinge and operable between raised and lowered positions. A spring assist assembly extends between the deck and the lip plate. The spring assist assembly includes a plurality of springs that linearly operate along respective calibrating posts to bias the lip plate toward the raised position. A base end and a compression end of each spring are adjustable along the respective calibrating posts.

Example vehicle restraints with a barrier having rotational and translational motion are described. An example vehicle restraint includes a carriage frame movable vertically relative to the dock. A drive shaft is supported by the carriage frame. A drive unit is to rotate the drive shaft about a shaft axis and relative to the carriage frame. A hub is connected to rotate with the drive shaft about the shaft axis, the hub having an outer diameter surface that is radially off center relative to the shaft axis. A barrier defines a bore that encircles the outer diameter surface of the hub. The barrier is movable selectively to an extended position and a retracted position. The barrier being connected to move selectively to the extended position and the retracted position in response to relative rotation between the outer diameter surface of the hub and the bore of the barrier.

A protective panel for shielding a dock pad while loading and unloading cargo includes a protective panel, a plurality of mounting holes, and a plurality of panel fasteners. The protective panel is mounted to a metallic door jamb of a loading dock via the plurality of panel fasteners. The plurality of mounting holes in turn allow the plurality of panel fasteners to attach to the protective pad. The protective panel includes a flat body and a curved body. The flat body protects the side of the dock pad, whereas the curved body protects the edge of the dock pad. As such, the flat body is connected adjacent to the curved body. Finally, each of the plurality of panel fasteners is attached to a corresponding hole from the plurality of mounting holes. Thus, the number of panel fasteners can be adjusted depending on the size and weight of the protective pad.

Examples of an alignment assembly for loading a shipping container are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, the alignment assembly includes a base rotatably disposed on a pole and an alignment bracket moveably connected to the base. The alignment bracket may include a main support member connected to an alignment member. The alignment bracket is configured to permit the alignment member to be disposed substantially co-planer with a sidewall of the shipping container.

Methodologies, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for relocating pallets and receptacles. A shipping motor vehicle has a weight sensor within a cargo area that measures a weight of a pallet or a receptacle. A location sensor located within the cargo area identifies available storage locations within the cargo area, and a computing device equipped with a processor computes a destination location within the cargo area for the pallet or receptacle based, at least in part, on the weight of the pallet or receptacle measured by the weight sensor. An internal conveyor system located within the shipping motor vehicle receives the pallet or receptacle from an external conveyor system and automatically relocates the pallet or receptacle to the destination location within the cargo area.

A heated surface and method of making the same is disclosed. The surface has a base. A first ceramic insulating layer is provided above the base. A heating element is provided above the first ceramic insulating layer. A second ceramic insulating layer is provided above the heating element. A protective layer is provided above the second ceramic insulating layer.

A K-member for a passenger vehicle includes a body, a first cross member coupled to the body, and a second cross member coupled to the body at a location rearward of the first cross member. The first and second cross members are coupled transversely with respect to the body. A reinforcement member is coupled to the body and extends transversely between opposite sides of the body. The K-member further includes a first and second coupling member. Each coupling member is coupled to the body and includes an elongated portion, a curved portion, a toe link joint, and a first mounting location. The toe link joint is angularly disposed relative to the elongated portion. When assembled to the passenger vehicle having a rear passenger compartment, the entire K-member is positioned below a horizontal plane defined by a floor in the compartment.

A K-member for a passenger vehicle includes a body, a first cross member coupled to the body, and a second cross member coupled to the body at a location rearward of the first cross member. The first and second cross members are coupled transversely with respect to the body. A reinforcement member is coupled to the body and extends transversely between opposite sides of the body. The K-member further includes a first and second coupling member. Each coupling member is coupled to the body and includes an elongated portion, a curved portion, a toe link joint, and a first mounting location. The toe link joint is angularly disposed relative to the elongated portion. When assembled to the passenger vehicle having a rear passenger compartment, the entire K-member is positioned below a horizontal plane defined by a floor in the compartment.

The present invention provides an automatic loading apparatus including a loading platform and a transfer plate. The transfer plate includes a rolling portion and a ramp portion. The rolling portion includes plural roller modules. Each of the roller modules includes a metal frame and plural upper rollers and lower rollers disposed in the metal frame. An upper surface of the transfer plate is made up of the upper rollers, and a lower surface of the transfer plate is made up of the lower rollers. The ramp portion is connected to the rolling portion and arranged on one end of the transfer plate.

A method for constructing a dock housing for a pre-existing loading dock. The dock housing includes a base with top and bottom surfaces and front, back and opposed sidewalls. The front wall has integral fork pockets for interaction with forks on a fork truck for movement of the base into a desired location and the top surface has an opening to receive a dock leveler into such opening. Also included is a modular frame mounted onto the base in sections, the sections including a frame-front wall, opposed frame-sidewalls and a frame-top wall, the frame-front wall having a trailer-receiving opening to receive a trailer, the frame-sidewalls including a slotted-base attachment for securement of the base and sidewalls together. The dock housing is formed by securing the frame-sidewalls to a wall of a pre-existing building as well as securing the base, the frame-front wall and the frame-top wall together.